Adrenergic response of bladder muscle in prostatic obstruction. Its relation to detrusor instability.

In vitro isometric studies of bladder dome muscle taken at operation from 47 patients with benign prostatic obstruction, revealed an alpha-adrenergic response instead of the normal beta response in 23 per cent. The relationship between this finding and the presence of irritative symptoms and an unstable detrusor is examined. This finding may explain the beneficial effect of alpha-blockers on these symptoms in many patients with prostatic obstruction.